(Logo thanks to O’Connell Family Funeral Homes with locations in several states.)

More and more people are planning to be cremated when they pass, and their cremains scattered………. in a garden, over a cliff, in water or in a designated spot in an established cemetery. What are the rules for scattering cremains in Washington State?
According to a bit in our Spokesman newspaper (from Jared Gendron of the News Tribune, Tacoma), YES, you can scatter the cremains of a loved one in Washington but there are caveats.

• Ashes can be scattered in most public and state owned land with permission from whomever controls the land.
• Permission from the Chief Park Ranger is needed for National Parks.
• Ashes can be scattered into any bodies of water in Washington.
• Ashes can be scattered in the ocean beyond the lowest tide mark.
• Ashes can be buried in the ocean as long as it’s three nautical miles from land and the EPA must be notified of the event.
• Only human cremains, not pets or other animals, may be dispersed into the ocean.

Casting: Make sure to toss the ashes with the wind and make sure nobody is standing downwind. 

Trenching: Burying the ashes in a hole/trench at least a foot deep.

Raking: Placing the cremains in soft soil and raking them into the soil. 

Water: Keep in mind that some cremains may sink instantly while others may float (for a time). 

** In 2004, our family gathered at the family cabin on Bottle Bay, Lake Pend Oreille, to pour our father’s ashes off the end of the dock. It was a very special day for all of us.